2009 Commemorative Events for John Brown's Raid

To commemorate the sesquicentennial of John Brown’s inflammatory raid on the Harpers Ferry arsenal, The John Brown 150th Anniversary Quad-State Committee, comprised of various historians and officials from Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia have planned a range of commemoration events throughout the year. Below is a sampling of the many re-enactments, dramatic productions, art exhibits, academic lectures and special tours planned for this autumn. See Full Listing of Events »

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WINCHESTER EXHIBIT

Through October 30“From the First Shot to the Gallows: Winchester’s Involvement with the John Brown Raid,” an exhibition at The Hollingsworth Mill, Winchester, Va.Learn More: http://www.winchesterhistory.org

WINCHESTER EXHIBIT

Through October 30“A Militia, A Medical College, and A Judge: Winchester’s Connection to the John Brown Raid,” an exhibition at the Winchester-Frederick County Visitors Center, Winchester, Va.Learn More: http://www.visitwinchesterva.com

HARPERS FERRY TOURS

Saturdays in September and October“In the Footsteps of John Brown,” a tour with National Park Service rangers at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.Learn More: http://www.nps.gov/hafe/index.htm

RICHMOND EXHIBIT

October 10, 2009 – April 11, 2010“The Portent: John Brown’s Raid in American Memory,” an exhibit at the Virginia Historical Society, Richmond, Va. Learn More: http://www.vahistorical.org/

HARPERS FERRY EXHIBIT

October 10–11, 2009“The Secret Six,” an exhibit on the men behind John Brown’s Raid at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.Learn More: http://www.nps.gov/hafe/index.htm

HARPERS FERRY PRESENTATION

October 10–11, 2009“John Brown’s Legacy” and “At All Times Ready: The U.S. Marines,” special presentations at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.Learn More: http://www.nps.gov/hafe/index.htm

FREDERICK RENACTMENT

WINCHESTER LECTURE

October 29, 2009The John Brown Raid, a public lecture by Dr. James Bryant, II, at Shenandoah University, Winchester, Va.Learn More: http://www.visitwinchesterva.com/

HARPERS FERRY DEBATE

November 7–8, 2009"If John Brown did not end the war that ended slavery, he did at least begin the war that ended slavery," a dramatic debate between Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.Learn More: http://www.nps.gov/hafe/index.htm

WINCHESTER PLAY

November 13–15, 2009"The Anvil," a one-act play by Julia Davis exploring John Brown's trial at the Old Court House Civil War Museum, Winchester, Va.Learn More: http://www.civilwarmuseum.org

CHARLES TOWN PROCESSION

December 2, 2009NAACP John Brown execution observance, a procession from the jailhouse to the execution site at the Courthouse, Charles Town, W.Va.Learn More: http://www.harpersferrywv.net/NAACP.htm

CHARLES TOWN DEBATE

CHARLES TOWN OBSERVANCE

December 16, 2009NAACP Shields Green and John Copeland execution observance, a procession from the jailhouse to the execution site at the Courthouse, Charles Town, W.Va.Learn More: http://www.harpersferrywv.net/NAACP.htm